Leaf is the latest concept car designed by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) that features an odd leaf as its roof, giving an impression of being eco-friendly. This innovative roof is crafted from foliage and able to produce oxygen just like a real leaf. Moreover, the leafy roof features a solar panel to generate and store electricity, and more surprisingly, it directs the car to move into a position where it can get the most suitable sunlight coverage. The wheels also contain spinning wheels that can generate electricity too when the car moves forward. This energy-efficient vehicle not only will reduce the fuel cost of operating a car, but also will help developing an emission free environment.

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Sit down and take a deep breath, EV fans. The Nissan Leaf electric car will cost $32,780 when it rolls into showrooms in December. Add in the federal EV tax credit, and the bottom line is $25,280, a price that makes the Leaf competitive with the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius.

Nissan announced the price today and said it starts taking reservations for the Leaf electric car April 20. The five-passenger hatchback sports a 23 kilowatt-hour lithium-manganese battery that’s good for a claimed 100 miles and recharges in eight hours. The Japanese automaker plans to crank out 50,000 Leafs in 2011. With some 85,000 “hand-raisers” expressing interest in getting one, some EV advocates believe Nissan’s priced the car so competitively it could have trouble meeting demand.

“I think it’s an excellent price,” said Paul Scott, a founder and board member of the EV advocacy group Plug-In America. “I think Nissan is going to have a hard time keeping them on the showroom floor, especially in states that have additional tax credits. In California, it’s going to be a hell of a bargain at $20,028. They’ve really nailed it. It’s very, very affordable.”

We must note that these prices are for the United States only, and Nissan is offering the Leaf for sale or lease only as a complete package. It is not leasing the battery separately from the car here in the United States, though it might do so elsewhere. continue reading…

Tyres. They’re just circular bits of rubber with grooves in them, aren’t they? No need for technology there, you could be forgiven for thinking.

Well think again - tyre manufacturing has become extremely technical and forward-thinking as manufacturers look to push the boundaries of what can be achieved through new technologies. Whether it’s improvements in fuel economy, handling performance or safety, technological developments in the tyre world are making a big difference.

Kwik Fit is here to take you through the next big things in tyres and explain exactly why changes to tyre technology affects you, the motorist. continue reading…